Knicks' Carmelo Anthony: I Can't Beat Celtics 'By Myself'
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- Carmelo Anthony put on a clinic Tuesday night against the Celtics. Problem is, the Knicks lost.
On Thursday, Anthony said, "Game 3 on our court is a must-win for us," though he was quick add there's "no way" he can lead New York over Boston alone.
But the Knicks aren't sure who will on the court at MSG to help Anthony. Amar'e Stoudemire missed practice Thursday but is expected to play. Coach Mike D'Antoni is less optimistic about Chauncey Billups' chances of suiting up.
"I have to step up and do it all to try to win," Anthony said on Thursday. "We have to have guys who have to step up as well on the team. There's no way I can do it by myself. We've been doing a great job of guys stepping up, especially for it being some of the guys' first times."
Injuries forced the Knicks to play much of Game 2 with backups surrounding Anthony, who nearly carried them with 42 points and 17 rebounds.
"I really don't know if they'll be able to go or not," Anthony said. "Hopefully the guys that are playing can keep that same effort, keep it going, play the same we played in Game 2. That was a lot for one person to take on. ... My teammates were in battle with me."
"You've seen it for years, that's what (Carmelo) does," said D'Antoni.
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Yet the real hurt for the Knicks comes from the realization they could have won both games in Boston, instead of bringing a 2-0 deficit into Game 3 of the series Friday night.
"I'll play 48 (minutes) if I have to," Anthony said.
"It's the playoffs now. You have to leave it all on the court."
Who can step up alongside Carmelo? Sound off in the comments below...
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